Free school meals and clothing grants
Help with school meals during holidays and strike action
Where a pupil is eligible for free school meals because of low income, additional help may be available during the school holidays and in the event of strike action. Find more information on the mygov.scot website: School meals
Where a pupil is currently not eligible for Free School Meals and you think they may be eligible, you must apply. (You apply for a Clothing Grant using the same form as for Free School Meals.)
The table below will be updated throughout the year to confirm when any additional payments will be made.
| Payment | Paid to bank accounts | Details |
|---|---|---|
|
Easter Holidays, 3 to 14 April 2023 |
Monday 3 April 2023 |
|
| School closures due to industrial action on Tuesday 28 February and Wednesday 1 March 2023 | 28 February 2023 |
|
Changes to Scottish Child Payment took effect on 14 November 2022. The Scottish Child Payment was already being paid by Social Security Scotland for eligible children under the age of 6 in Scotland. From 14 November it became available for eligible children under the age of 16 and is increased in value to £25 a week for each child.
You will need to take action to apply for the Scottish Child Payment even if you currently receive Bridging Payments. Bridging Payments are coming to an end, with the final payment due in December 2022. No further Bridging Payments will be made once these awards have been made. If you are eligible for a Bridging Payment in December, you will still receive it whether or not you have applied for Scottish Child Payment.
If you are eligible, and have responsibility for one or more children aged 6 to15, you need to take action after 14 November 2022 to ensure you receive the support you are entitled to.
Scottish Welfare Fund
If you are in extreme financial hardship you may want to apply to the Scottish Welfare Fund.
Other enquiries
For wider enquiries about welfare and benefits: